Painting Tips

When it comes to home improvement, painting is the least expensive and most efficient thing you can do. Although there are many ways to add value to a house, painting is one of the simplest and least costly. Thoughtful, well-executed house painting can make your home a positive environment and help you accomplish more. You may even find yourself paying less for utilities after your home is painted! If you use well-made paint and reliable methods, your home will retain its new look without requiring excessive maintenance on your part. Fortunately, this site represents a one-stop shop for professional-quality painting expertise. House painting can be simple or complex; it all depends on the method. Our online guide covers everything from staining to exterior painting. housepaintingguide.orgIf you are considering renovating your home or building a new one, painters can help to make your home look finished. Paints can be used on both the interior and exterior of a home. There are a wide variety of options when it comes to paints and paint finishes that are sure to meet your personal needs. Painting is also a cost-effective way of redecorating. So, if you want to give your home a new look without spending a lot of money, painting may be the option for you. kluje.com

Types of House Painting:

• Primer – This is not usually considered paint, but it is needed in many painting projects and is found in the paint aisle. Primer can be oil based or water based. When you are painting and need to use a primer, always use one that matches the type of paint you are using. So, if painting with oil based paint, use oil based primer. doityourself.com

• Interior and Exterior – You will see paint labeled as interior or exterior. You can use water based paint on the interior of your home, but exterior paint is best left to oil based varieties. doityourself.com

• Latex – This is a term used to describe water based paint. There is actually no latex in the paint. doityourself.com

• Enamel– Oil based paint is given the term “enamel” due to the hardness and durability of the paint. These paints will also include gloss and semi-gloss paint finishes. It is mostly used around windows, doors and trim. Over time this paint can discolor, however. doityourself.com

• Acrylic– This is just another term for water based house paint, but the binding ingredient in the paint is acrylic. Acrylic paint can be found in several varieties including acrylic latex, acrylic enamel or acrylic latex enamel. Acrylic enamel house paint is considered as such due to its durability. It is not a mixture of oil and water-based paint. Always consult the labels of the paint as not all paint actually contains latex or acrylic despite the name. Also, remember that the higher the shine, the more imperfections the paint will show. doityourself.com

• Oil Based vs. Water Based – Oil based house paint takes more time to dry than water based house paint, which dries as fast as moisture can evaporate. However, there are drying additives in oil based paints to aid in shorter drying times. The finish of oil based paints is glossier and harder than water based. Water based paint is not as durable as oil based, and isn’t as shiny. In order to clean oil based paint you need to use harsh chemicals like paint thinner. A small amount of detergent and water will allow you to clean water based paint.

• Specialty Paints – Each paint type can have additives included in it. These paints can include anti-mold and anti-mildew properties as well as fire retardants. There are also paints that have anti-condensation additives, making them popular in locations like the kitchen.

Interior House Painting Tips:

To avoid lap marks, roll the full height of the wall and keep a wet edge

Mix several cans of paint in a large bucket for a consistent color throughout the room

Let the paint dry, then cut the tape loose for a perfect edge

Paint the trim ﬁrst, then the ceiling and walls

Prime and texture wall patches to avoid a blotchy ﬁnish

Clean dirty surfaces so the paint can form a strong bond

Roll paint along the edges for consistent texture

Use cotton drop cloths rather than plastic

Feather out paint where you can’t keep a wet edge

Sand trim between coats for an ultra-smooth ﬁnish. familyhandyman.com

Exterior House Painting Tips: .

Required Tools for this Project:

Extension ladder

Paint roller

Paint tray

Rags

Roller sleeve

Paintbrush

Painter’s tape

You should also have a roller screen and a ladder stabilizer. familyhandyman.com

Required Materials for this Project:

Paint

Extra 1 and 5 gallon buckets

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

Tips:

Overview – Top-quality brush, Key Techniques

Buy high-quality painting tools

3-step brush technique – Spread the paint, Smooth the paint

Paint stores can help with colors and quantities

Roller technique – Load the roller, Roll the paint, Work the paint in with a brush

When painting a roof make sure you are able to get back down from the roof without having to walk over wet paint, this can be avoided with a little planning before you start. If you are going to use an airless spray gun to paint the roof try to avoid painting on a windy day, there is always some over spray and it can be carried a long way in windy conditions. A friend of mine recently painted a large two storey roof and had the task to knock on some ones door to let them know their Harley Davison was cover with paint spots, not something I would want to do. So do take care when using an airless spray gun in windy conditions. Check the weather forecast, you don’t want to paint your roof if its going to rain and if it is going to be hot I would suggest you start early. how-to-paint.info

There are a few choices when it comes to roofing paint and you will need to decide what is best for you and also how much you are willing to spend. Water based roofing paints would be the preferred paint used for cement tiled roofs and shingle roofs but there are some paints on the market that are not suitable for drinking water. So if you do collect rain water from your roof do some research and ask before you purchase your paint if the paint is suitable for the collection of rain water. Oil based roofing paints are best suited for collecting rain water but I wouldn’t paint cement tiles with oil based paint. Oil based roofing paints are best suited to iron roofs, if the roof is old and rusty it will help keep the rust at bay. Water based paints can be used on iron roofs but I would make sure any rust is treated well or it may appear again soon after painting. If you have a few extra dollars to spare you could think about getting either one of the heat resistant paints or get an additive to add to your paint. Thermal additives are available and I have heard some good reports about them, I will be using a thermal additive when I paint my roof mainly because I want to use a dark colour. I also know someone that painted a shipping container with a thermal paint and they were very happy with the result. how-to-paint.info In order to maintain your roof, experts agree that a roof should be repainted at least every 5 years. This not only ensures your roof always appears in a pristine condition, it allows one to address any minor problems such as leaks and rust before they may become larger ones. It is important to get the right roof paint for the surface of your roof. Most paints specifically designed for rooftops can be applied to a number of surfaces such as cement, concrete tiles and IBR (Inverted Box Rib) roofing. Acrylic paint is generally the preferred variety of paint one should use to paint a roof and there are a number of benefits of using acrylic paint over others. Acrylic roof paint is water based paint. This means you will not have to purchase additional solvents such as thinners or turpentine to clean your brushes or rollers after painting. This also makes acrylic roof paints environmentally friendly. Make sure the roof paint you purchase is UV resistant and can withstand the elements, especially if you are living in a coastal area. Check you have purchased enough paint to coat your entire roof, and remember that you may need to apply more than one coat. Ask your paint supplier about the spreading rate per square meter as well as which sealer or primer should be used if necessary. The best time of the year to re-paint your roof will obviously be in the months with the least annual rainfall. Choose a day or two where no rain is expected – this will give you enough time to prepare the surface appropriately and allow the roof paint to dry properly between coats. contactnsupply.co.za

What Type of Roof is Suitable for Painting?

Painting is suitable for several common roof types, including concrete tiles and metal surfaces such as Color bond®. Roofline is also one of the few companies in Australia that specialises in painting terracotta tiled roofs. For many years this was considered all but impossible to well, but advances in primers and sealers mean we can now promise you excellent, long lasting results. rooflines.com.au

Different types of roof paint:

Metal Roof Paints– An important factor to consider with roof painting is the type of roof you have. Metal roof paints will be different for tile roof paints and some roof paints will not be adhesive to metal surfaces, while others will. Metal roofs undergo thermal expansion and contraction resulting in changes to the physical dimension of the metal. Understanding that metal roofs expand and contract means it is important to choose a paint that has been specifically designed for use on metal roofs and which has the right amount of elasticity to avoid cracking and peeling. One is able to paint a metal roof straight away without much roof surface preparation. With certain paint sealers for repair, no roof priming is required in most metal roofing applications. Waterborne acrylic, elastic roof coatings for metal roofs without a primer are fast drying and ideal for any type of metal roofing that needs a protective and decorative finish. There are paints that give your roof a lifetime protection from rust.

Types of Metal Roof Paint – Some brands of metal paints are designed for barns, sheds and roofs, but the longevity of this paint may be limited. Other paint brands were developed for painting older metal roofs, usually for historic homes. Common colors for metal roof paint include red, grey, brown, green, black and white. Some metal roof paint brands require that more than one coat is applied for best results. Most paints can be rolled, sprayed or brushed, depending on the formula. Acrylic metal roof paint is water based, and has been engineered to be more flexible. Since this elastomeric paint can contract and expand just like the metal roofing itself, it may be less prone to crack. Some acrylic metal roof paints require primer, while others are “direct to metal” paints and don’t require primer. Oil based paints are also available. Historically, linseed oil paint was commonly used on tin metal roofs. It may require several coats of paint, but is time tested and very durable. However, linseed oil paint requires mineral spirits for cleanup.

Tiled Roof Paints – With a tiled roof it is important to first evaluate the condition of the roof before going ahead with buying the preparation and finish products. With tile roofs it is necessary to first check for chipped and broken tiles as well as colour fading or moss on the roof. Whichever colour you choose, two coats will be needed to make sure you have a bright and professional finish. All roof paints are available in an assortment of colours and glazing levels.

Generally when you are painting a tiled or shingle roof is because all the existing glaze has worn off and the roof is looking a bit shabby. Some roofs will look better than you think once the cleaning has been done, I have cleaned a roof and the customer decide not to painted it as it looked almost band new.

With tiled roofs there is an issue with ridge capping, they may need to be fixed before you start painting and it is generally referred to as pointing and bedding of ridge caps. Most will need re-pointing and some may need re-bedding, with re-bedding they take off the ridge cap and re-bed it in a new mix of mortar. Pointing is where the ridge cap is not moved but the outer mortar is repaired generally with another layer of mortar applied over existing. If you have had any repairs like this done after you have cleaned the roof make sure you use your garden hose and give the roof a final clean, some times just a broom will do the trick.

If your roof looks really bad and just about all the color has gone then you will need to sealer the roof first, most roof sealers/primers dry clear. Make sure you apply plenty; you will need to give the roof a good coating to give it a chance to soak into the tile.

As with any roof you will need to apply two coats of suitable paint, and the choice of color is up to you but do remember darker colors absorb the heat while light color reflect the heat.

Airless spraying is the best way and the quickest way to paint a tiled roof and there is a technique for painting these types of roofs. With tiled roofs the best way to spray them is to paint about 4 tiles down from the top and then paint across the roof until you get to the other end. From there go back to where you started and repeat, spraying about 4 tiles down again then continuing across the roof to the other end. Each time you start another section to paint up to the bottom edge of the previous tile painted, this will help avoid overlap marks.

You could paint a tiled roof with a brush but it would take a long time to do, so unless you have plenty of time to spare I would suggest hiring an airless spray gun, it will cost you a few dollars to hire but the time you save will be well worth it. how-to-paint.info

Corrugated Iron Roof – If you are painting a new iron roof you will need to wash it with a degreaser before you start unless the roof is more than a year old and has weathered. This means that the oil from fabrication has worn away and the iron has been slightly etched through weathering.

With unpainted iron you will need to prime it first with a suitable primer, this is also the case for any sheets of iron that may have been replaced on an existing roof.

You will need to apply two coats of suitable paint, and the choice of color is up to you but do remember lighter colors will reflect the heat and darker colors absorb the heat.

Airless spraying is the quickest way to paint any roof and if you decide to paint your roof this way there is a technique to applying the paint. When you are spraying you should spray about a meter wide section and work your way down the sheet, spray in the direction of the flutes in the iron. If you like you can use the joins in the iron as a guide; it is an easy way to tell exactly where you are at. Once you have worked your way down the sheet and completed that section move back to the top of the roof and repeat for next sheet of iron. You must keep a wet edge at all times and that is why you go back to the top of the roof before it starts to dry, if you decide to work back from the bottom to the top, the top part could have tacked off when you get back up there.

You can buy rollers that are shaped like corrugated iron and they do work well, but you will still need to cut in all the corners and ridge caps. With some roofs you may need to run the brush down the join in the sheets as some times they are slightly raised and the roller will not get this area.

Now if you are really keen you could brush the complete roof, I have done it in the past but that was before I got my first airless spray gun. If you decide to do it this way there are a few things to remember , start early in the morning and don’t try to paint in the heat of the day, the paint will dry far too quick. The other thing to remember is to work in small sections, simular to spraying but maybe only half a sheet width at a time and make the over lap mark in the hollow of the iron and not on the top of the ridge.

Roof Painting Creates a Whole New Look – There are roof paints that are not restricted to certain types of roofs, but are designed for the painting of all types of roofs including metal roofs, concrete tile roofs and non-glazed terracotta tiles. There are also acrylic clear glaze roofing paints designed especially for applying a clear coat over an existing factory painted metal or cement tiled roof to restore the roof to its original gloss. Roof painting provides maximum protection like UV protection and sun reflection as well as waterproofing and insulation. spectrum-waterproofing.co.za